A Sunday’s Work in Batavia by R. W. Munson

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 9, 1911

A Sunday’s Work in Batavia

By R. W. Munson

R. W. MUNSON

BEFORE Brother Philip Brouwer left here to canvass in Semarang, he requested me to look after his Bible readers. Accordingly, at seven o’clock Sunday morning I set out on my bicycle across the city some two miles to the next-door neighbors of Brother and Sister Brouwer. “Coming King” had been sold to them, a neighborly acquaintance formed, and Bible readings begun.

This gentleman is a Eurasian, who speaks English well, and is employed at the Weather Bureau, receiving a large salary. He and his wife are intelligent people. A few weeks before, Mrs. Munson and I had visited her one Sabbath morning, and we had a study on the sanctuary question. So this Sunday I continued the topic, reviewing in order that her husband might get a good understanding of the subject.

The Dutch people are inheritors of Calvin’s theology, which always breeds antinomianism (hostility to the law), and when the fact was brought out that the moral law formed the very foundation of God’s throne, a deep impression was made. As I proceeded to show how love is the fulfilling of the law, and that true love to God involves obedience to his holy will as it is expressed in his holy law, a still deeper impression was made. They readily assented to the immutability of God’s law, and consequently to its binding force upon all men. The Saviour by his Spirit was present to help, and a good time was experienced.

I returned home by ten o’clock, where two gentlemen from Ceylon were waiting. While they were natives of that island, they were educated in English. Both of them were Christians and members of the Church of England.

Soon afterward two unmarried Dutch ladies who have been much interested in the truth came, and we all sat down for a Bible study. The eldest of the Cingalese gentlemen, who had not expected such a study, as it was impromptu, expressed his pleasure at being present.

These two men are employed by a tea house, or firm, that handles Ceylon tea. When they were coming to Batavia three months ago, they were on the ship that brought one of our sisters from Singapore. Through her they learned of us and something of the truth. They were very glad to find English people who were Christians, and so they eagerly responded when we invited them to call at any time. They called at the close of the Sabbath and again on Sunday.

In my Bible study with the persons first mentioned, I had to use Malay in giving the study, as the lady knew no English and I knew no Dutch, but all three of us knew Malay. This illustrates the statement often made that Malay is the lingua franca of this region; that is, the language that every one knows and can use.

At this home Bible study I used English, as four out of the five persons understood that language, and the two gentlemen from Ceylon knew no Malay.

I took up the subject of the fifth, or stone kingdom, the kingdom of Jesus Christ. To the two strangers it was not only interesting but novel, for they never had heard that the new earth, the glorious home of the saved, will be material and tangible. It came like a revelation to them. Two Cingalese youth called with these men the evening after the Sabbath, and the mother and sister of one of them are expected soon. We hope to plan for more work among these people.

The Spirit of God especially helped me, and the blessing of God rested upon us. All hearts rejoiced in the glorious hope of the saints. At one o’clock we had to stop, although we were not through, as there is an inexhaustible mine of truth in the Word. All our hearts burned within us, for had we not talked with Jesus by the way? One of our number suggested that perhaps there were others who would be glad to attend a Sunday service and hear the Word expounded: so it was agreed that we would meet again next Sunday, and

bring any of our friends who might like to join us. Indeed, it was thought that a regular Sunday service could be safely planned for. There is also a large community of Eurasian people who are respectable, and honored by being given places of responsibility in the government service.

At five o’clock I proceeded to the home of Mrs. —, an old and highly respected resident of Batavia, and of pure Dutch blood. I have for several months been holding a Bible study in her home. The topic was “The Great Day of Atonement.” Five elderly ladies and two children were present. Again Malay had to be the medium of communication. All were very attentive and deeply interested, so much so that when I had concluded they did not want to stop, but began to ask me questions. One question was, “Can one person work injury to another by means of the native black art, so much practised here by the Javanese?”

I replied that if a man were a true child of God, and had faith in his Word, the devil could do nothing to harm him. Then I gave a short Bible study on the ministration of angels. From this we were led to speak of Spiritualism and its true character. When I explained the origin of Spiritualism and its real nature, they all assented that it was quite true, for they knew a young woman who had been led away by it, and had found it very difficult to get away from the devil when she wanted to give up Spiritualism.

This was one of the most encouraging experiences I have had in Java. I am sure the Lord will water the seed sown and cause it to bear fruit in changed lives and faith. Most of the company had never heard of the ministration of angels, and it was a comforting assurance to them that “the angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.”

I began the study at 5:20 and closed it at 7:30. Mr. —, who is deaf and can not hear a word of what is said, went for a walk with some of the little children from next door. He returned before we had finished, and could “feel” that we were having a very interesting study. I carried on a short conversation with him by writing on his slate, while he spoke what he desired to say. He had read “Thoughts on Daniel,” by Uriah Smith, and “Coming King,” both in Dutch. He ordered about a dozen tracts on a wide range of topics, and also a copy of “Thoughts on Revelation.”

These books and tracts are read in both these homes, and I hope that some of the young people, of whom there are many, may yet be brought to a saving knowledge of the truth, even though none of the older ones are influenced. So closed the day. Pray for these families.